Sand-blast device for controlling the direction of the abrasive stream



April 23, 1929. F. J. HULL 1,710,

SAND BLAST DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF THE ABRASIVE STREAM Filed Jan. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet m m m 3 April 23,1929. F. J. HULL 1,710,166

SAND BLAST DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF THE ABRASIVE STREAM Filed Jan. 5, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 T @fi &4 Q" TiEQQ-EK? attovm v Patented -Apr. 23, 1929.

The invention relates to an abrading machine of-the type 'known to the trade as sand blast machines, though in these machines any Variety of comminuted abrasive material may be used and steel abrasives are preferred.

a The machine has a rotary container or barrel in which the castings or other articles being treated are agitated by the rotation of the barrel to expose their various surfaces in lo turn. The abrasive carried by a jet of air under pressure, the machine being for this reason referred to as of the direct pressure type, is injected into the barrel at the centres r of the axial ends by means of a nozzle orinozi 'zle's, there being preferably one at each end, the manner of mounting the nozzle and the nozzle construction or more particularly the method and device for controlling the adjustable directioning of the abrasive stream being the subject of the invention.

,, Different loads for different types of work I take differentjpositions inthe barrel, and the work climbs higher or lies at a lower level in the barrels, depending upon the contour of the surfaces, the thickness, weight and general construction of the members or pieces composing the material being treated It is understood by those familiar with the art that inthe rotation of the barrel the load climbs on the upwardly rotating side of the barrel and is therefore inclined downwardly in the direction of rotation, i. e., when the barrel is rotating clockwise, the load is inclined downwardly to the right, and to get the best results, the centre of the blast is directed at or near thecentre of the exposed surface of the load. It is therefore desirable that the machine be capable of adjustment as to the direction of the blast.

An object of the invention is to so construct the machine as to handle all kinds of work and with the barrel variously filled, to the best advantage without extensive or difiicult changes of the apparatus. The present device makes it possible to make all adjustments as to the position of the nozzle and I direction of the blast without disassembling the apparatus in any way or having access to the inside of the drum.

' The sand or other abrasive is deflected by the load and may be said to splash from the castings, and one of the objects of the inven- "tion is to produce a nozzle mounting which gives at alltimes a tight closure of the casing Application filed January 5, 1926.

Fit.

I? FOSTER J. HULL, OF HAGERSTOWN, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO PANGBORN CORPORA- TION, OF nasnas'rowiv, MARYLAND, A CORPORATION OF MARYLANDL SAND-BLAST DEVI E FOR CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION on THE ABRASIVE STREAM.

Serial No. 79,300.

or a seal around the nozzle preventing escape of the abrasive and dust fromthe casing.

lVear on the different parts of the nozzle which direct and are therefore exposed to the abrasive is excessive, and there is also a tendency to clog, making frequent dismantling of the nozzles either for replacement or to remove obstructions necessary, and the structure of the present invention, i. e., the nozzle and support and adjusting means are so devised that the nozzle can be taken from the case instantaneously and likewise taken down, inspected, and the various parts r placed without delay. i

One of the important results obtained is the easy and quick adjustment of the nozzle in all directions by means of a universal carrier for the nozzle, and a movable support by which the location of the nozzle is adjusted, so that by thus changing the positionof the nozzle support, the nozzle may be turned through a wide angle in any direction relatively to the axis of the barrel and still enter the opening in the barrel whichis preferably but a little larger than the nozzle. Further, the various adjustments of the nozzle are made without special tools, with an ordinary wrench. The nozzle tip which is the member most frequently replaced, can be removed and installed without delay, and the nozzle is held in position by a simple type of'lever lock which is instantaneous in its operation in engaging and releasing the nozzle.-

In the accompanying drawing I have illustrated a device for controlling the adjustable directioning of the abrasive material and the various details thereof in the preferred form.

In the drawing .Figure l is a fragmentary central vertical section on the axis of the barrel viewing the nozzle and mounting in detail. c

Figure 2 is a section at right angles to the plane of Figure 1 and taken entire line 2 Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the sand blast apparatus, the casing being broken away and the barrel being shown in section.

Referring to the drawings by numerals. each of which is used to indicate the same or similar parts in the dilferent figures, the apparatus as shown comprises a casing l more fully illustrated in my co-pending application No. 13,587, a rotary barrel 2 having an opening 3 for the nozzle in the axial end wall preferably at the centre or axis, and a nozzle at directed into the aemn 3. with ad ustable means for supporting the nozzle and controlling the direction otlthe. abrasive stream.

The nozzle 6&111611001111311568 hrst a spherical member or ball? in which the nozzle member 4 is mounted. This ballhas opposite.

openings 8 and 9 which may be referred to as at the opposite ends of a long diameter and in a general way as for the purpose of admitting the nozzle at one end and for the exit of the sand blast at the other.

As shown the opening 8 is at the bottom or end of a. protruding chamber or socket 10 formed by or in the walls of the sphere or ball 7,'and the nozzle tip 12 protrudes from said opening 8 and projects into the barrel open,- ing 3, which is preferably but little larger than the nozzle tip. The other or rear end of the nozzle, as shown, has a circumferential shoulder 1 which tits in the openingD in the nozzle, vholdingthe latter in positioirin the.

sphere, but by swin ing the lever 1.5 in either direction to a positionat a suflicient angle with the position shown, the end 17 is swung clear of the shoulder 14. It is therefore apa parent that by merely displacing the lever 15 by a touch of the finger of thehand gripping the hose 18, the nozzle is released and may be instantly removed from the ball. I

. The spherical member or ball carrier 7 is mounted for universal adjustment in' the plate 1 which a part of the outer housing or c'asing of the apparatus. Themounting consists 0t a )luralitv of cu 3 )ed rin s namel su' porting ring 21 and clamping ring 22,- each presenting to the sphere or ball an inner'surface 23 and 24c res )ectivel )reterabl 1n the form of a spherical section or zone,'o'f

a little less inside diameter than the greatest diameter'ot the ball, saidsurfaces being oppositely inclined tow-ard the centre of the sphere or ball. These rings are placed on op posite sides of the equator of the sphere or ball,oi-.otl1erwise stated, the ball being placed between the rings,'the latter are drawn together and into contact with the, opposite slopes er the spherical outersurface of the ball'b'y'means of bolts 25 seated in and passed through the respective rings and tightened by nuts 26. The bolts are spaced about the periphery ot the rings by any suitable arcs and placed parallel to the axis Of the rings.

The nozzle is universally adjustable for directi'on about the centre of the ball-7, the adjustment beingf'aceomplished by slightly proportions of the hole 3at the centre of the axial end of the barrel, it is also necessary or desirable inv order to effect accurate directioning of the abrasive stream of suflicientscope to make it possible to treat all loads to the best advantage to change the location of the ball and nozzle within a limited scope, and to accomplish this change and secure the parts.

in their adjusted position quickly and'easily,j

and at the same time to maintain a tight clo-,

sure of the casing. To this end the supporting ball ring 21, is formed or mounted on a movable plate which closes the openingin the casing. This is shown in the form of a circula-r support or supporting plate 28, which circular support or plateis in turn mounted for rotary adjustment in a circular-opening 29 in the casing, the ball being eccentrically mounted in the plate, and the centre of "the plate or supportbeing preferably somewhat higher-than the centre; of the barrel, 'so'that the abrasive streamis normally directed dowmwrrdlv against the surface ofthe load which usually fills the barrel slightly less than half full. i

The plate or support 28 asshown co-oper 7 ates with a clamping ring 30 on the outside of the casing, the clamping ring 30 and thejsup port 28'being of similar outside diameter and the support being inside of thecasing, the edges of which si'irrounding the opening 29 are clamped between the support or plate 28 and the rin 'S0, the ring and support being drawn together by bolts 31 and nuts 32 placed at suitable intervals (about the circumference of the ring, The location of the nozzle is changed in adjusting the direction of the stream ot'abrasive byunclamping the plate rotating it untilthe nozzle is located clearedand reclamping it. r i The nozzle being easily removed @trom the" ball '7 is likewise easily dismantled forreplacing the tip and for freezing the nozzle'or clearing it in case it; becomes plugged by accumulation of the. abrasive. The manner of locking the nozzle in the ball andreleasi'ng it has, already been described. The tip '12. is held in the'nozfzlebv a screw cap 35having an opening 37 for the tip. The cap engages a shoulder 38fon the tip, which when the cap is screwednp presses against a soft washer 39 hearing on the end of the main port-ion 4 f of thenozzle. Thereduced'inner end of the tip at 4:0 projectsand fits inside the main body lo'f the noz' le. The outer end 11 of the tip projects through the opening 8 in the pro- H truding chamber 10 of the ball 7, to and into the opening 3 at the centre of the axial end of the barrel, which opening is as shown preferably bevelled as at l2 to provide for free movement of the nozzle to its various positions of ad ustment in directionmg the abrasive stream as already outlined.

It will be understood that the adjustment of the position of the nozzle by rotation of the support or supporting plate 28 moves the ball 7 and the portion of the nozzle therein'on a substantially circular path, the radius of which 1s the eccentricity of the position of the ball as'to' the plate 28, and if the ball 7 and the plate 28 be unclamped and moved at the same time, the hose 18 being considered as completely flexible, the end of the nozzle being confined 1n the opening 3 1n the barrel, the axis of the nozzle may be caused to generate a. conical surface or a surface which is substantially conical, the pro ecting end 41 of the nozzle being substantially the, apex of "the cone' It is of particular importance that by adjusting the position of the plate 28 rotatively, the position of the ball 7 and the portion of the nozzle therein may be so ehanged'that by means of this adjustment and the universal adjustment of the ball, the abrasive stream may be applied to any por tion of the surface of the load which it is desired to treat, and this is accomplished Without the necessity for having the end of the nozzle project within the barrel where it would be exposed to the action of the abra- 'sive, nor is it necessary to have the barrel opening much larger than the diameter of the end of the nozzle.

An object of'the invention most effectually accomplished by this device is the complete sealing of the casin around the nozzle, preventing the escape of dust, which is an importantelement in the cleaning of castings and the like. lVhile the nozzle is universally cular eccentric support 28, and at the same time rocking the nozzle supporting ball 7 moves the nozzles to the desired location and to the angle most favorable to the accomplishment of the result stated. He then tightens the nuts to a sufficient degree to hold j the parts in position, and proceeds with the operation of the machine.

If by any chance it is necessary to disassemble the nozzle on account of clogging or the necessity fora new tip, the wear of the tips being very rapid, the nozzle is grasped in the hand, a finger resting on the lever 15 serving to throw the latter to a position substantially at right angles to the position in which itis shown, whereby the nozzle is'released and removed from'the ball. The tip 12 may then be removed by unscrewing the cap This tip may be replaced by a new tip, and in case the nozzle is plugged by an accumulation of abrasive,therein or otherwise, it may obviously be easily cleared in this way. I

I have thus described specifically and in detail a single embodiment of my invention in order'that the nature and operation of the same may be clearly understood however, the specific terms herein are used descriptively rather than in a limiting sense, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

hat I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. in an abrading machine having a rotary barrel with an opening in the axial end, a casing having an opening opposite the end of the barrel, a nozzle directed into the opening in the barrel and having a discharge end adjacent the opening, the size of the opening approaching closely the corresponding transverse dimension of the nozzle, a support for the nozzle closing the opening in the casing, andnieans for securing the support to the casing in various positions of adjustment in a plane transverse to the axis of rotation of the barrel providing for change of location of the nozzle, and means for securing the nozzle to the. support in various angular positions providing for adjustment of the nozzle as to direction.

2. In an abrading machine, a'rotary barrel having an end opening, a casing having an opening opposite the end of the barrel, a nozzle directed into the barrel opening, the periphery of the barrel opening at all points being in close proximity to the nozzle, a nozzle supporting plate closing the opening in the casing, and means for securing the plate in various positions of adjustment in a plane transverse to the axis about which the barrel rotates providing for a change of location of the nozzle, the supporting platc'having an opening, a ball in which the nozzle is mounted, and means for securing the ball in the plate opening in various positions of angular adjustment providing for the angular adjustment of the nozzle. 7

3. In an abrading machine, a rotary barrel having an opening at the axis of rotation, a casing having an opening opposite the barrel opening, means for supplying a stream of abrasive, a nozzle for forming the stream of abrasive into a jet, the same being directed through the barrel opening, the periphery of the opening being in close proximity to the nozzle .at all points and means for supporting and adjusting the nozzle comprising a ball was a.

tion oi the axis of rotation of the barrel providing for adjustment of the nozzle by changing the location of the ball thereby directioning the stream of abrasive relatively to the rotary container.

4. In an altu-ading' machine, a casing, a rotary barrel therein having an opening in its axial end, the casing having an opening opposite the barrel opening, a nozzle and a support therefor, and means for securing said support to said casing at the edges of said opening in various positions, of angular adjustment about an axis close to and in the general direction of the barrel axis,.elosing the opening and changing" the location or the nozzle relatively to the barrel axis, a ball, and means for mounting it on said support, said mountingof the ball providing for adjustment of the same aboutits centre, the ball having opposedopenings for the nozzle, the nozzle being directed into the openingiin thecasing, said support and ball providiu r "for the universal adjusti'nentr as to l l-*t" t 1 1t" ht "1 L16 iieo 1on or lie nozz e re a we ,r 0 salt opening; in the casing. i

5. In an abradingmachlne, a casing, arota-ry barrel therein having an opening concentric with its axial end, the casing having an o )enino' o mosite'theo )enin in the barrel. k i i D i I a supporting plate closing the casing openmg, and means for securing sa d support to said casing in various positions of ad ustment, a ball, and means for mountingsame .on d support, said. mounting of the hall prov ling tor adjustment of the same about its centre and the ad'ustn'ient'o'f the su a )ort 7 7 1 )TOVJLlIIl tor snittin the load from 7lV36 to I. 2 h 7 tion of the nozzle, the ball havinga projecting portion tormlng a chamber to enclose the,

nozzle, saidchamber surrounding one of the openings in said-ball. 1 6. In an fiblddlllg machine, a rotary bars rel, a casing tliere'l'or, the barrel having an opening its axial end, the casing having a larger openingopposite theop'ening Vinthe barrel, but eccentrically placedin relation thereto, a eircularsupport for a nozzle covering' said opening in thexcasing, and means for securing said nozzle support in various positions of angular adjustment about an axis drawing the ring toward the socket to hold the ball in adjusted positiom'the ball ha-v-i mg" opposed openings and a nozzle romov ably secured in said openings in said ball.

7. In an abrading machine, a ball, means for clamping the ball in various positions of angular adjustment, a jet direetioning memer arried by'the ball, a rotating barrel he inn" a hole in its axial end but slightly larger that the direotioning nien' ber andvneart'he' barrel axis into which hole said memberis pointed, a support for the ball to which the ball is thus clamped and on which it is 0c;

centrically located, means for securing the support in various positions of angular adjustment in a' plane transverse to the barrel axis, the casing having; anopening through which the nozzle is directed, the opening-be: 7

ing closed around the'ball.

8.111 an abrading machine,a rotary bar rel having an opening in one endga'nozzle having its mouth directed'into saidopening,

a nozzle support spac'ed from the end ofsaid barrel, said nozzle being excentrieally mounted' for UD lVCIfSRl HIOYQlIlGHl) in salt support,

and said support being rol a'tably adjustable about an axis near thesai d barrel. opening and in the general direetion ofthe aids about which the barrel rotates for shiftingIthe axis of said nozzle in the path of the o 'en'eratrix of a cone'haviug its apex near said opening.

Signed oy me at Hageistown, Maryland, this 2 day of January, 1926.

FOSTER J. HULL. 

